Producer

Died On This Date (May 10, 2011) John Carter / Respected Producer and A&R Man

John Carter
June 14, 1945 – May 10, 2011

John Carter
was a successful producer, songwriter, A&R man, and artist manager who due to the respect he garnered, was commonly referred to as simply, Carter.  His earliest success came in 1967 when “Incense and Peppermints,” a song he co-wrote, became a hit for the Strawberry Alarm Clock.  He in fact also came up with the band’s name by putting together random words he found on the singles chart.  He was soon hired by Atlantic Records where he worked in promotion, and eventually went to work at Capitol Records where he produced numerous hit albums by the likes of Sammy Hagar, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, Bob Welch, and the Motels, to name just a few.  In 1983, he made perhaps his biggest mark on pop music by A&Ring Tina Turner’s landmark album, Private Dancer, which sold over 20 million copies, collected numerous Grammy’s and made the singer relevant again.  In later years he held high positions at Chrysalis, A&M, Atlantic, and Island Records.  John Carter died of cancer on May 10, 2011.  He was 65.

Thanks to Bruce Kilgour for the assist.

Died On This Date (April 26, 2011) John Cossette / Grammy Telecast Producer

John Cossette
February 22, 1957 – April 26, 2011

John Cossette is perhaps best remembered as a longtime producer of the Grammy television broadcast.  He carried on the tradition started by his father, Pierre Cossette, who produced the very first broadcast in 1971.   Cossette worked on the Grammy show for the better part of the past 20 years, most recently as executive producer.  He served in the same capacity for the Latin Grammys as well.   Outside of the award show, Cossette produced programming for BET as well as the Broadway, Chicago and London productions of Million Dollar Quartet, which is based on the historic 1956 meeting of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.  John Cossette was 54 when he passed away on April 26, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen of Number1Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (April 24, 2011) Huey Meaux / Controversial Record Producer

Huey Meaux
March 10, 1929 – April 24, 2011

Huey Meaux, known to many in the music business as “The Crazy Cajun,” was a successful record producer and studio owner.  Before getting into the music business, Meaux worked as a barber.  He eventually opened SugarHill Studios in Houston, Texas where he discovered the young talents of Doug Sahm and Barbara Lynn.   He is also credited for re-launching Freddy Fender’s career during the mid ’90s.  As a producer, Meaux was responsible for such hits as “She’s About A Mover” for Sahm’s Sir Douglas Quintet,  “You’ll Lose A Good Thing” for Lynn, and “Before The Next Teardrop Falls” and “Wasted Days And Wasted Nights” for Fender.  In 1996, Meaux’s music career was derailed by various sex and drug charges for which he ultimately served 15 years in prison.  Huey Meaux was 82 when he passed away on April 24, 2011.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (January 17, 2011) Don Kirshner / Influential Producer, Publisher & Television Host

Don Kirshner
April 17, 1934 -January 17, 2011

Don Kirshner was a music publisher, producer, songwriter-manager, and television host who rightfully earned the nickname, The Man With The Golden Ear.  His music career began during the ’50s when he and his partner, Al Nevins, launched Aldon Music, a publishing company that included such future superstar talent as Neil Diamond, Bobby Darin, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Neil Sedaka.   Kirshner also owned three successful record labels during the early part of his career.  In the early ’60s, the creators of a new NBC television program enlisted Kirshner to provide songs for that show.  The influential sit-com followed the fictional adventures of an up-and-coming band as it bounced from one loony situation to another while performing catchy pop songs along the way.  The show was called The Monkees, and Kirshner brought songs like “I’m A Believer,” “Last Train To Clarksville,” and several others that would become hits that help define the era.  He later helped create an animated version of that same concept with The Archies. Then in 1973, Kirshner became a television star in his own right with the launch of Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.  The late night show offered full live performances of songs by current rock stars, making it unique in a time where lip syncing on television was the norm.  For many rock music fans in a pre-MTV, pre-youtube era, it was THE only way to enjoy your favorite bands live.  Along with being executive producer, Kirshner introduced each act in a monotone manner that was later popularly parodied by Paul Shaffer on Saturday Night Live. The show’s premiere episode included the Rolling Stones and and the series continued at that pace hosting the likes of Alice Cooper, the Allman Brothers Band, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Rush, the Eagles, the Ramones, KISS, and Kansas.  It quickly became serious competition for other late night programs like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.  The show ran until 1981.  Don Kirshner was 76 when he died of heart failure on January 17, 2011.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the help

Died On This Date (December 31, 2002) Kevin MacMichael / The Cutting Crew

Kevin MacMichael
November 7, 1951 – December 31, 2002

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Kevin MacMichael was a Canadian born songwriter, musician, and producer who is perhaps best remembered as the co-founder of, and lead guitarist for ’80s rock band, the Cutting Crew.  Formed in England in 1985, the band scored a huge MTV-powered hit with “(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight” in 1986.  The worldwide hit from the album, Broadcast, helped the band secure a Best New Artist Grammy nomination in 1987.   After the band broke up in 1993, MacMichael went on to play guitar on and compose songs for Robert Plant’s Fate Of Nations of that same year.  He also toured behind the album with Plant. MacMichael eventually moved from England back to Nova Scotia where he worked with such acts as the Rankin Family and Sons Of Maxwell.  Kevin MacMichael died of lung cancer on December 31, 2002. He was 51.

Thanks to Roch Parisien for the assist.

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Broadcast - Cutting Crew